Medical Record Briefcase

ABSTRACT

A medical record briefcase is a lightweight and durable apparatus that is easy to transport and organizes confidential medical documents. The apparatus also carries a variety of sanitary and stationery products for patients and caregivers. The apparatus includes a flexible casing panel, a lockable elongated fastener, an expandable pouch, a plurality of pockets, and a location-tracking device. The flexible casing panel surrounds and contains the medical documents and a variety of small essential items. The lockable elongated fastener secures the items stored within the flexible casing. The expandable pouch organizes and positions medical documents within the flexible casing panel. The plurality of pockets sorts and positions a variety of small essential items as well as other documents. The location-tracking device monitors and delivers the real-time location of the flexible casing panel to a corresponding portable computing device. The apparatus also includes a lock providing increased security and confidentiality.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to document organizers. Morespecifically, the present invention is medical record briefcase thatorganizes and protects sensitive medical documents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, the patient naturally feelsoverwhelmed. Circumstances often feel chaotic and out of control formany patients. To make matters worse, there is a steep learning curvefor new patients and their caregivers. Not only are new patients andtheir caregivers tasked with learning new medical lingo, but they arealso trying to comprehend the scope of treatment options and specialistsavailable. This frustrating situation is exacerbated when patients arebombarded with test results, medical paperwork, insurance claims, andpamphlets to read.

There have been many methods in which patients have attempted to stayorganized during this extremely difficult time. The first methodincludes using a computer and scanner to digitally organize documents.There are many logistical drawbacks to this approach. First, a patientor caregiver must own or have access to a computer and scanner, alongwith the tech savvy skills required to operate each machine. Additionalshort comings include the time-consuming process of scanning andorganizing, the digital documents. Managing digital documents can bedifficult to locate when saved electronically, and there are numerousconcerns about document privacy and security.

The second method includes using a large three ring binder for storage.The first issue with this method is the need for each paper that arehole-punched prior to insertion. If papers are do not have holes toaccommodate the three ring binder, carrying a 3-hole puncher is a bulkyitem to transport that is also unnecessary. Additionally, these productsoften fail, the rings often malfunction after being opened and closed,fingers are pinched, pages tear out, the 3-hole puncher does not cut thecircles correctly, and so on. Another concern with the second method isthere is no logical place for pamphlets or brochures given that much ofthe writing would be punched through. This process is unnecessarilytedious and time consuming, requiring too many steps to stay organized.

The third method includes using a heavy file cabinet. These cabinets arefar too to transport. A patient may therefore not always have thenecessary information while sitting in the waiting room of a doctor'soffice. It is also common for papers and records to slip between hangingfiles becoming lost in the process. This third method is also anexpensive option, requiring the purchase of a cabinet, along withhanging file folders and other supplies.

Given these three options, it is no wonder that most patients andcaregivers simply opt out. Unfortunately, that means stacking importantpapers in various piles only to be lost or accidentally thrown away.Patients also record on improvised logs or scratch pieces of paper.These health metrics easily get misplaced or are not convenientlyretrieved to provide for healthcare professionals. This haphazard methodcompounds upon a feeling of chaos for a patient and it increases stressand frustration in an already daunting situation.

The present invention allows for patients to customize, organize,secure, and transport all their paperwork and medical records. Ratherthan hole punching, scanning, or stacking, individuals are empowered toorganize their documents. In order to do so, a user slides a paper intothe front, on top of the other documents, of the corresponding filefolder. To retrieve documents, a user would locate the labeled filetheme and remove the papers stored within. Conveniently, the documentswill be chronologically sorted, with the oldest on the bottom and themost recent on the top, making for ease of access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front side view of the present invention in a closedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention with a flexiblecasing panel fully expanded.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention with an expandablepouch opened.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of an insertable organizer of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the wireless communication of the presentinvention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a medical record briefcase that organizes andsecures confidential medical documents. The present invention isportable and durable throughout transportation. In order for the presentinvention to facilitate the organization of confidential medicaldocuments and any accessories that aid in the documentation of medicalinformation and the maintenance of hygiene, the present inventioncomprises a flexible casing panel 1, a lockable elongated fastener 7, anexpandable pouch 10, a plurality of pockets 15, and a location-trackingdevice 19, seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. The flexible casing panel1 houses and upholds medical documents, sanitary products, stationaryproducts, medications, medical products and so on. The flexible casingpanel 1 comprises a first cover portion 2, a second cover portion 3, afolding edge 4, an external face 5, and an internal face 6. The firstcover portion 2 and the second cover portion 3 surround the items withinthe flexible casing panel 1. The first cover portion 2 and the secondcover portion 3 are connected with each other along the folding edge 4.Moreover, the folding edge 4 allows the flexible casing panel 1 to fullyexpand in order to view and access items within the flexible panel 30and to fold over in order to preserve a compact structure throughouttransportation. The external face 5 comes into contact with thesurrounding environment and protects the items within the flexiblecasing panel 1. The internal face 6 presses against the items within theflexible casing panel 1 and presses against items. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, an anti-microbial layer traversesacross the external face 5 in order to limit the transmission ofmicroorganisms and bacteria. The lockable elongated fastener 7 locks andunlocks the first cover portion 2 and the second cover portion 3 witheach other. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelockable elongated fastener 7 is a zipper. The lockable elongatedfastener 7 comprises a first interlocking portion 8 and a secondinterlocking portion 9. The first interlocking portion 8 engages thefirst cover portion 2 with the second cover portion 3. Similarly, thesecond interlocking portion 9 engages the second cover portion 3 withthe first cover portion 2. The expandable pouch 10 organizes medicaldocuments and divides the medical documents according to type. Theplurality of pockets 15 houses and contains a variety of small items.The plurality of pockets 15 also organizes the variety of small itemsand allows a user to easily view the variety of small items stored ineach of the pockets. The location-tracking device 19 continuouslymonitors and delivers the real-time location of the flexible casingpanel 1 to a compatible device. Further embodiments of the presentinvention may comprise an identification tag, seen in FIG. 1, thatprovides a set of contact information for a patient. The identificationtag is readily visible by individuals who have come across the misplacedflexible casing panel 1.

The overall configuration of the aforementioned components securelystores and organizes confidential medical documents. The first coverportion 2 is positioned adjacent with the second cover portion 3 and ishingedly connected with the second cover portion 3 along the foldingedge 4, seen in FIG. 3. This arrangement allows the flexible casingpanel 1 to fully expand and expose the interior of the flexible casingpanel 1. This arrangement also allows a user to easily access and thevariety of items stored within the flexible casing panel 1. The medicaldocuments and the variety of small items lay across the first coverportion 2 and the second cover portion 3, respectively, while storedwithin the flexible casing panel 1 as the first interlocking portion 8is peripherally connected about the first cover portion 2. Similarly,the second interlocking portion 9 is peripherally connected about thesecond cover portion 3. The expandable pouch 10 and the plurality ofpockets 15 is positioned adjacent to the internal face 6, preserving thecompact structure of the flexible casing panel 1. More specifically, theplurality of pockets 15 is mounted onto the first cover portion 2, andthe expandable pouch 10 is mounted onto the second cover portion 3. Theplurality of pockets 15 and the expandable pouch 10 therefore remainconnected with the flexible casing panel 1 while fully expanded. Inorder to determine the location of the flexible casing panel 1 and theconfidential medical documents stored within the flexible casing panel1, the location-tracking device 19 is integrated within the flexiblecasing panel 1.

In order to close the flexible casing panel 1, the lockable elongatedfastener 7 and the flexible casing panel 1 are arranged into a closedconfiguration, seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The first cover portion 2 andthe second cover portion 3 are positioned parallel to each other suchthat the first cover portion 2 and the second cover portion 3 are foldedabout the folding edge 4. The expandable pouch 10 and the plurality ofpockets 15 are both housed between the first cover portion 2 and thesecond cover portion 3 as the first interlocking portion 8 and thesecond interlocking portion 9 are engaged to each other. The preferredembodiment of the present invention further comprises a lock 20 so thatthe first interlocking portion 8 and the second interlocking portion 9remain locked with each other and provided restricted access to theconfidential medical documents within the flexible casing panel 1. Asseen in FIG. 1, the lock 20 is preferably three-dial combination lock20. However, it is understood that the lock 20 may be a variety of locksthat connect and disconnect the first interlocking portion 8 and thesecond interlocking portion 9. The security of the present invention isenhanced as the lock 20 is operatively coupled in between the firstinterlocking portion 8 and the second interlocking portion 9, whereinthe lock 20 is used to selectively secure the engagement between thefirst interlocking portion 8 and the second interlocking portion 9.

The present invention further organizes important medical documents asthe present invention comprises at least one cardholder 21, seen in FIG.3. The at least one cardholder 21 retains and displays a business cardfor quick and easy reference. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the at least one cardholder 21 comprises a first cardholderand a second cardholder, wherein the first cardholder contains aninsurance card, and the second cardholder contains a business card of amedical provider. The at least one card holder 21 is positioned adjacentto the expandable pouch 10, opposite the first cover portion 2, in orderto preserve the organization within the flexible casing panel 1. Morespecifically, the at least one card holder 21 is fixed with theexpandable pouch 10.

The plurality of pockets 15 comprises a main pocket 16 and at least onesupplementary pocket 17, also seen in FIG. 3. The main pocket 16 retainslarger items and the at least one supplementary pocket 17 retainssmaller items. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, themain pocket 16 and the at least one supplementary pocket 17 are mesh sothat items within the main pocket 16 and the at least one supplementaryare visible and quickly identifiable. The main pocket 16 is positionedadjacent and across the first cover portion 2. Moreover, the main pocket16 is fixed with the first cover portion 2. The at least onesupplementary pocket 17 is positioned adjacent to the main pocket 16,opposite the first cover portion 2. This arrangement preserves thecompact structure of the present invention such that the first coverportion 2 and the second cover portion 3 remain relatively flat while inthe closed configuration. More specifically, the at least onesupplementary pocket 17 is positioned adjacent with the folding edge 4and is fixed with the main pocket 16. In the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the at least one supplementary pocket 17 comprises aplurality of supplementary pockets 18. The plurality of supplementarypockets 18 divides and organizes a variety of small items. The pluralityof supplementary pockets 18 is distributed across the main pocket 16.

The present invention further comprises at least one pen holder 22,shown in FIG. 3. The at least one pen holder 22 retains a pen and allowsa pen to be readily accessible within the flexible casing panel 1. Theat least one pen holder 22 is positioned adjacent with the at least onesupplementary pocket 17, opposite the first cover portion 2, furtherorganizing the variety of small items within the flexible casing panel1. Moreover, the at least one penholder is peripherally fixed with theplurality of pockets 15. Alternate embodiments of the present inventionmay also comprise a reading-glasses pouch and a strap compartment thatare also fixed with the plurality of pockets 15. The reading-glassespouch is preferably mesh and lined with a microfiber cloth in order toboth store and clean lenses. The strap compartment contains and housesthe length-adjustable strap 26 when disconnected with the flexiblecasing panel 1. The strap compartment prevents a user from losing thelength-adjustable strap 26 when disconnected with the flexible casingpanel 1.

The expandable pouch 10 also preserves the compact structure of theflexible casing panel 1 while organizing confidential medical documentsas the expandable pouch 10 comprises a plurality of accordion folders11, a plurality of tabs 12, an open end 13, and a closed end 14, seen inFIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Each of the plurality of accordion folders 11 holds atype of confidential medical document. The plurality of accordionfolders 11 may further hold editable laminated forms, trackers, andmedical charts. The types of confidential medical documents within eachaccordion folder are identified with the plurality of tabs 12,respectively. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, themedical documents are chronologically ordered with the plurality ofaccordion folders 11 and the plurality of tabs 12 facilitating theidentification of any desired medical document. Further embodiments ofthe present invention may comprise a sheet of stickers that visuallyidentify each of the plurality of tabs 12. The sheet of stickerscomprises a plurality of stickers that may be separated from the sheetof stickers and adhered to a corresponding tab of the plurality of tabs12. The open end 13 allows confidential medical documents to be accessedwithin the plurality of accordion folders 11. The closed end 14 preventsthe confidential medical documents from slipping past the each of theplurality of accordion folders 11.

The flexible casing panel 1 remains flat while in the closedconfiguration as the plurality of accordion folders 11 is seriallypositioned with each other, seen in FIG. 4. The closed end 14 ispositioned adjacent with the folding edge 4, and the open end 13 ispositioned opposite the closed end 14 about the plurality of accordionfolders 11. This arrangement allows the confidential medical documentsto be accessed through the open end 13 without having to fully expandthe flexible casing panel 1 about the folding edge 4. Furthermore, eachof the plurality of accordion folders 11 is hingedly connected with anadjacent accordion folder from the plurality of accordion folders 11along the closed end 14, preventing the flexible casing panel 1 frombulging while in the closed configuration. This arrangement also allowsthe confidential medical documents to be viewed while still positionedwithin the plurality of accordion folders 11.

The expandable pouch 10 is opened and closed as the present inventioncomprises an elastic fastener 23, seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The elasticfastener 23 comprises an elastic band 24 and a hook 25. The elastic band24 locks and unlocks the expandable pouch 10 with the first coverportion 2. The elastic band 24 latches with the hook 25 in order toclose the expandable pouch 10. The elastic band 24 is tethered with thefirst cover portion 2 and is positioned adjacent with the open end 13 sothat the elastic band 24 accommodates the varying width of theexpandable pouch 10. The open end 13 may be closed, and the expandablepouch 10 is pressed against the first cover portion 2 as the hook 25 ispositioned adjacent with the expandable pouch 10, opposite the firstcover portion 2. Moreover, the hook 25 is fixed with the expandablepouch 10.

The present invention is easily transported as the present inventioncomprises a length-adjustable strap 26, seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Afirst end 27 of the length-adjustable strap 26 is positioned opposite asecond end 28 of the length-adjustable strap 26 along thelength-adjustable strap 26 such that the length-adjustable strap 26 maybe suspended from a shoulder. The first cover portion 2 and the secondcover portion 3 may be opened and closed without being hindered by thelength-adjustable strap 26 as the length-adjustable strap 26 ispositioned adjacent to the external face 5. More specifically, the firstend 27 and the second end 28 are attached onto the flexible casing panel1 and are positioned offset from the folding edge 4. The first end 27and the second end 28 are preferably attached with the flexible casingpanel 1 with a couple of clasps, allowing for easy storage. The firstend 27 and the second end 28 are positioned offset from each other sothat the flexible casing panel 1 remains balanced while hanging off theshoulder of a user. Further embodiments of the present invention maycomprise a couple of handles that allow a user to grasp the flexiblecasing panel 1 with a grip.

The medications of a patient are safely stored and easily accessible asthe present invention further comprises an insertable organizer 29, seenin FIG. 5. The insertable organizer 29 comprises a flexible panel 30, aplurality of zippered pockets 31, and a plurality of identificationflaps 32. The flexible panel 30 upholds and connects the plurality ofzippered pockets 31 with one another. The plurality of zippered pockets31 retains a variety of small items, preferably pills, medications, andsupplements. The plurality of identification flaps 32 differentiates thetypes of small items contained in each of the plurality of zipperedpockets 31. Similar with the plurality of pockets 15, the contents ofthe plurality of zippered pockets 31 is readily visible as the pluralityof zippered pockets 31 is preferably transparent. The present inventionmay further comprise a drug classification card that is stored in azippered pocket of the plurality of zippered pockets 31 for quick andeasy reference. The insertable organizer 29 is positioned adjacent tothe internal face 6 and is positioned in between the first cover portion2 and the second cover portion 3, allowing the insertable organizer 29to be transported with the flexible casing panel 1. The plurality ofzippered pockets 31 is distributed across the flexible panel 30,preserving the compact and flat structure of the flexible casing panel1. Moreover, each of the plurality of zippered pockets 31 is fixed ontothe flexible panel 30. Each of the plurality of identification flaps 32is fixed adjacent with a corresponding zippered pocket of the pluralityof zippered pockets 31, effectively differentiating the plurality ofzippered pockets 31 from one another.

In order to identify the current location of the flexible casing panel1, the present invention further comprises a portable computing device33, seen in FIG. 6. The portable computing device 33 is preferably asmart phone. However, the portable computing device 33 may be a varietyof compatible devices that are synchronized with the location-trackingdevice 19. The portable computing device 33 displays the location of theflexible casing panel 1 preferably graphically through an application.The portable computing device 33 is communicably coupled with thelocation-tracking device 19 so that a user may view the current locationwith the portable computing device 33. In further embodiments of thepresent invention, the portable computing device 33 may include an appthat provides electronic medical templates that may be printed for apatient according to the medical needs of the patient.

The present invention further facilitates the recording and tracking ofthe health of a patient by comprising medical document templates. Themedical document templates are utilized to convey the complete healthhistory of a patient. The medical document template is preferably asturdy, laminated template that a patient would simply fill out with anycurrent medications, prescribing physicians, and preferred pharmacy witha permanent marker. Once dried, the medical document template may bephotocopied without smearing or rubbing off. If any adjustments with theinformation need to be made, the present invention further comprises asmall spray bottle of cleaning solution and a wipe. It is understoodthat a variety of medical document templates may be stored within theflexible casing panel 1 in order to record medical family history,emergency contact information, mental health status, and so on.

The present invention further comprises a notepad that allows a user toquickly take note of any questions the user may have and the answers aphysician or provider may have. The notepad is also stored within theflexible casing panel 1 and may be removably attached with theexpandable pouch. The present invention may comprise an additionalnotepad that allows a user to make notes of gratitude in order tocounterbalance any discouraging medical condition. Further embodimentsof the present invention may comprise a plurality of foldableinformation cards. The plurality of foldable information cards ispreferably stored within a pocket of the plurality of pockets 15. A usermay write a variety of medical information for caretakers or medicalproviders and fold in half to reduce the size of the correspondingfoldable information card to a business card size.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical record briefcase comprises: a flexiblecasing panel; a lockable elongated fastener; an expandable pouch; aplurality of pockets; a location-tracking device; the flexible casingpanel comprises a first cover portion, a second cover portion, a foldingedge, an external face, and an internal face; the lockable elongatedfastener comprises a first interlocking portion and a secondinterlocking portion; the first cover portion being positioned adjacentwith the second cover portion; the first cover portion being hingedlyconnected with the second cover portion along the folding edge; thefirst interlocking portion being peripherally connected about the firstcover portion; the second interlocking portion being peripherallyconnected about the second cover portion; the expandable pouch and theplurality of pockets being positioned adjacent to the internal face; theplurality of pockets being mounted onto the first cover portion; theexpandable pouch being mounted onto the second cover portion; and, thelocation-tracking device being integrated within the flexible casingpanel.
 2. The medical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1 comprises:wherein the lockable elongated fastener and the flexible casing panelare arranged into a closed configuration; the first cover portion andthe second cover portion being positioned parallel to each other; and,the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion beingengaged to each other.
 3. The medical record briefcase as claimed inclaim 2 comprises: a lock; and, the lock being operatively coupled inbetween the first interlocking portion and the second interlockingportion, wherein the lock is used to selectively secure the engagementbetween the first interlocking portion and the second interlockingportion.
 4. The medical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1comprises: at least one cardholder; the at least one card holder beingpositioned adjacent to the expandable pouch, opposite the first coverportion; and, the at least one card holder being fixed with theexpandable pouch.
 5. The medical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1comprises: the plurality of pockets comprises a main pocket and at leastone supplementary pocket; the main pocket being positioned adjacent andacross the first cover portion; the main pocket being fixed with thefirst cover portion; the at least one supplementary pocket beingpositioned adjacent to the main pocket, opposite the first coverportion; the at least one supplementary pocket being positioned adjacentwith the folding edge; and, the at least one supplementary pocket beingfixed with the main pocket.
 6. The medical record briefcase as claimedin claim 5 comprises: the at least one supplementary pocket comprises aplurality of supplementary pockets; and, the plurality of supplementarypockets being distributed across the main pocket.
 7. The medical recordbriefcase as claimed in claim 5 comprises: at least one pen holder; theat least one pen holder being positioned adjacent with the at least onesupplementary pocket, opposite the first cover portion; and, the atleast one pen holder being peripherally fixed with the plurality ofpockets.
 8. The medical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1comprises: the expandable pouch comprises a plurality of accordionfolders, a plurality of tabs, an open end, and a closed end; theplurality of accordion folders being serially positioned with eachother; the closed end being positioned adjacent with the folding edge;the open end being positioned opposite the closed end about theplurality of accordion folders; and, each of the plurality of accordionfolders being hingedly connected with an adjacent accordion folder fromthe plurality of accordion folders along the closed end.
 9. The medicalrecord briefcase as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an elastic fastener;the elastic fastener comprises an elastic band and a hook; theexpandable pouch comprises an open end and a closed end; the open endbeing positioned opposite the closed end about the expandable pouch; theclosed end being positioned adjacent with the folding edge; the elasticband being tethered with the first cover portion; the elastic band beingpositioned adjacent with the open end; the hook being positionedadjacent with the expandable pouch, opposite the first cover portion;and, the hook being fixed with the expandable pouch.
 10. The medicalrecord briefcase as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a length-adjustablestrap; a first end of the length-adjustable strap being positionedopposite a second end of the length-adjustable strap along thelength-adjustable strap; the length-adjustable strap being positionedadjacent to the external face; the first end and the second end beingattached onto the flexible casing panel; the first end and the secondend being positioned offset from the folding edge; and, the first endand the second end being positioned offset from each other.
 11. Themedical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1 comprises: an insertableorganizer; the insertable organizer comprises a flexible panel, aplurality of zippered pockets, and a plurality of identification flaps;the insertable organizer being positioned adjacent to the internal face;the insertable organizer being positioned in between the first coverportion and the second cover portion; the plurality of zippered pocketsbeing distributed across the flexible panel; each of the plurality ofzippered pockets being fixed onto the flexible panel; and, each of theplurality of identification flaps being fixed adjacent with acorresponding zippered pocket of the plurality of zippered pockets. 12.The medical record briefcase as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a portablecomputing device; and, the portable computing device being communicablycoupled with the location-tracking device.